St. David's yesterday gained the second promotion spot from the Second Division with this slim victory against last-placed Ireland Rangers.

It marked their return to top flight soccer since being relegated two season ago when Andrew Bascome was in charge.

Despite holding a comfortable 2-0 lead at the half on goals by Chae Simmons and an own goal, the Islanders were forced to struggle in the second half.

Simmons put St. David's ahead after 13 minutes and when a Lionel Cann free kick was turned into goal by centre-back Donald Madeiros after 34 minutes there was a hint that the result would be quickly put out of reach of Rangers.

But the home side fought back and were unlucky when a fine header by Jerome Codrington was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Sidney Minors.

Rangers came into the game with new found momentum after the half and got a goal after 75 minutes through a Codrington header. And they were denied an equaliser five minutes later when Minors pulled off another sensational save, this time denying Mike Corday.

Prospect 1 PHC 1 PHC, who wrapped up the first promotion spot by winning the league title a few weeks ago, made hard work of Prospect at Police Field.

It took a goal five minutes from time by Daniel Canies to save them from an embarrassing loss against the fourth-placed team. The Zebras, whose only loss in the league was to Social Club on November 1, were jolted in the first half when John Richmond scored after 20 minutes giving Prospect a lead which looked good enough to hold up until Caines came through to snatch a late point.

St. George's 1 Som.Eagles 0 St. George's helped make certain of promotion for their neighbours, St.

David's, by stopping Somerset Eagles at Wellington Oval, though the result was ultimately academic.

Melvin (Chinky) Simmons netted the winning goal for St. George's midway through the second half to lift them to fourth in the standings.

Paget 0 Social Club 6 Tokia Russell led Social Club's rout of Paget with a hat-trick.

Michael Parsons opened the scoring in the the 20th minute and Russell added the second five minutes later. Another from Parsons, two more from Russell and Yusef Richardson's 20-yarder completed the scoring.